Could The FAA Get ANY Stranger? Worse Yet... Will They?

ANN RealTime News Update, 0001ET, 05.23.13: The FAA has twice promised ANN a statement this day in order to understand some of their rationale for this sudden AirVenture cost recovery/User Fee scheme. If and when they provide this promised statement, we will make sure you see it right away. In the meantime, we have talked with EAA Boss Jack Pelton about the matter and have come to the understanding that EAA WILL apparently wind up having to pay the FAA something for their services... the same ones that we all thought were paid for by our income, fuel, and numerous other taxes. The primary question is just how much will EAA pay for all this and what effect might it have on AirVenture 2013? EAA has apparently NOT had a lot of warning about this and the manner and timing with which the FAA has extortionately demanded these fees positively begs for an aggressive Congressional investigation. ANN is currently researching additional details about this matter and will present more info as it beco

Building A New Future For The EAA... One Issue At A Time

Originally WebCast 11.14.12: With only a couple of weeks in pocket, directing the reorganization of the EAA in the wake of the departure of Rod Hightower, ti seems that we can't get enough info from new Boss, Jack Pelton. Sitting next to a well-placed Stearman on the floor of the NBAA convention, ANN caught up with Jack to get a little more info as Jack adjusted to the realities of heading the evolving organization.

Test Pilot Says The Airplane 'Performed Just As Expected'

Cessna conducted the first production flight of its Turbo Skylane 182 JT-A at the company's facility in Independence, KS on Tuesday. The aircraft has the distinction of being the first modern single engine aircraft powered by a piston engine specifically designed to run on Jet-A fuel.

Air Support Operations Squadron From Will Rogers Air National Guard Base Activated

Nearly 250 members of the Oklahoma National Guard, as well as members of Tinker Air Force Base are assisting with victim search and security in Moore, OK, where a tornado left at least 24 dead, including nine children, authorities said. The EF5 twister hit Monday, May 20, about 1515 CDT, just three miles south of Tinker.

Company Says Performance Package Improves Fuel Burn By Another 1.8 Percent

A Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental successfully completed its first test flight this week with a package of performance improvements including enhanced GE engines. This package is designed to improve the fuel efficiency of the jetliner. With Boeing Flight Test and Evaluation Capt. Kirk Vining and Chief Pilot Capt. Mark Feuerstein at the controls, the airplane took off from Paine Field in Everett, Wash. at 1330 PDT time and landed at Boeing Field in Seattle approximately four hours later.

Subcommittee Chair Call Mars Mission A Congressional Priority

The House Science Committee Subcommittee on Space held a hearing Tuesday to examine possible options for the next steps in human space flight and how these options move the U.S. closer to a human mission to Mars and beyond. Witnesses debated whether the Obama administration’s proposed asteroid rendezvous mission is a better precursor for an eventual manned mission to Mars compared to other missions, such as a return to the Moon.

Pipistrel Aircraft Engaged In Circumnavigation Attempt With A Science Twist

A one-year around the world flight aboard a Pipistrel Virus SW aircraft, organized by "Wings for Science" in association with renowned Universities and Research Institutes, is progressing according to schedule according to a report out of Luxembourg where the project is based. The project is supported by AOPA-Luxembourg and many local AOPA's around the world.

Contract Also Includes Additional 60 Reconfirmable Aircraft And 100 Options

Embraer and SkyWest Inc. have announced a firm order for 40 Embraer 175 aircraft. SkyWest will operate the aircraft under a Capacity Purchase Agreement (CPA) with United Airlines. Another 60 firm orders are reconfirmable aircraft, which are subject to SkyWest being awarded CPA agreement contracts with major U.S. airline partners. In addition to that, the agreement includes options for another 100 E175s, taking the total order potential up to 200 airplanes.

Local Annapolis Businesses Feeling The Pinch

The cancellations of the Blue Angels performance schedule for 2013 did not spare one of its traditional outings ... flying for graduation at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD.

Two Volcanoes In The State Have Been Active For Several Days

Few Alaska Airlines flights have been affected by volcanic activity from Mount Cleveland, located west of Dutch Harbor, and Mount Pavlof, located near Cold Bay, Alaska. No Alaska Airlines operated flights have been canceled at this time.